48 hours in La Paz – Weekend Edition
La Paz In Less Than 48 Words
La Paz is Bolivia’s largest city and administrative capital, poised at an impressive elevation of 3,660 meters above sea level. It is known for beauty – bounded by canyons and snowy peaks – but it also bustles with business and industries, with a cultural heart to boot.
The La Paz Cathedral at Plaza Murillo (Photo by swinehart)
First 24 Hours
You can arrive at the administrative heart of Bolivia via the El Alto International Airport, which is located just 25 minutes’ distance away from the La Paz city center. From there, you can catch a minibus that will take you to the heart of the city, which will cost you around BOB5. However, they take a while to fill up, and are usually crowded. THerefore, you can opt to hire a taxi at the airport terminal, although it will cost you upwards of BOB55.
La Paz is a pretty big city, but getting around it is fairly easy, as there are a lot of taxis to be found. Most do not have fare meters, so you will have to negotiate a fixed fare. Walking is not particularly recommended, as most of the city’s streets climb uphill. You can get valuable tourist information from its main tourist office (Plaza del Estudiante, El Prado). It is open during Mondays to Fridays from 9 am to 6 pm, and on Saturdays from 10 am to 12:30 pm.
CHECK IN: Get your bearings back at La Paz’s hotels
You can arrange for a nice place to stay in during your 48 hour visit in La Paz at one of its excellent hotels. One of the best in the city is the Apart-hotel a la Maison (Pasaje Munoz Cornejo no 15 | Sopocachi area, La Paz 9999, +591 0059122413704, website). It is a luxurious hotel with complete amenities, delicious breakfast, and a nice view of the Andes.
Hotel Rosario (Photo by George)
You can also try out the Hotel LP Columbus (Av 16 de Julio 1636 La Paz 1014, (010)2 212 5699, website), which is a 37-room hotel with a convenient location in downtown La Paz and top-class rooms. A nice alternative is the Hotel Rosario (Illampu 704, La Paz 12446, +591 2 2451658, website). It is a top-notch hotel with comfortable rooms and excellent service, all at reasonable prices.
PLAZA MURILLO: Have a historical hike
Perhaps one of the most popular tourist attractions in La Paz is the Plaza Murillo (Calle Ayacucho, central La Paz), which is considered as the city’s historical center. It was established during the Spanish colonial era, and was named in 1900 after General Murillo, a hero of the Bolivian freedom movement. The plaza is home to numerous historical monuments and buildings.
You’ll see there the La Paz Cathedral, which 152 years for its construction, from 1835 to 1987. It has a distinct neo-Classical style of architecture, and you can see its towers that were specially added in 1989 to herald the arrival of Pope John Paul II. The site is open during Mondays to Fridays from 3:30 pm to 7 pm, and in weekends from morning until dusk.
Palacio Quemado (Photo by Tomás de la Maza)
Another attraction inside the plaza is the Government Palace, which was originally the La Paz City Hall, until it was renovated to serve as the office of the President of Bolivia. It is also known as Palacio Quemado, and is reputed to have been burned down eight times by invading forces. At the entrance, it is hard not to notice the red-uniformed guards who stand as symbols of Bolivia’s desire to reclaim the sea coast it lost to neighboring Chile during the 1879 Pacific War. You can arrange with officials for a tour of the palace.
Near it can be found the Congress building, which was formerly a convent, a prison, and a university at different periods. In 1904, it underwent a complete renovation and is now the seat of the Bolivian Congress. You can also visit the country’s first-ever movie house, the Grand Hotel Paris.
ETHNOGRAPHY MUSEUM: Know more about the Bolivian culture
You can learn more about the unique Bolivian culture by visiting the Museo Nacional de Etnografía y Folklore (Genaro Sanjinés, Ingavi 916, website). It is a museum established to chronicle Bolivia’s rich local culture. Inside, you’ll find exhibits displaying artifacts and art forms belonging to the country’s different indigenous tribes. However, its most popular exhibit is the so-called “Tres Milenios de Tejidos”, which is literally the 3,000 years of textiles. There, you’ll see a diverse collection of skirts, blankets, and ponchos used by Bolivian women. The site is open during Mondays to Saturdays from 9 am to 7 pm, and on Sundays from 9 am to 12:30 pm. Admission is free.
MUSEO DE LA COCA: Have a coca experience
Museo de la Coca (Photo by lauraflyer)
An “Only in Bolivia” experience can be enjoyed at the unique Museo de la Coca (Calle Sagárnaga, Linares 906, 5912/2311-998, website). It is a museum dedicated solely to the coca plant, whose leaves have served as a vital part of Bolivian culture through the centuries. Inside, you’ll find various exhibits where you will learn the history of the plant, its healing properties, and nutritional values. You’ll also know more about how the leaves are made into the notorious drug, cocaine. The guide will even teach you the proper way of chewing the coca leaves. The site is open daily from 10 am to 7 pm, and admission will cost you BOB8.
DINNER TIME: Discover La Paz’ restaurants
You are guaranteed a delicious dinner at the restaurants available all over the city. One of the best in the city is Pronto Dalicatessen (Sopocachi, Calle Jauregui 2248 | detras del cine 6 de agosto, La Paz 2248, 591 2 2441369). It offers an authentic Mediterranean cuisine served in creative ways, and is well worth splurge visit. A nice alternative is Chuquiago Cafe & Internet (Linares 903 | corner Sagárnaga, La Paz, 00591-2-2334216), which serves Latin, vegetarian, Italian, and International dishes.
You can also try out the Restaurant Vienna (Federico Zuazo #1905 Casilla: #56, La Paz, 2441660, website), which specializes in a Continental cuisine, with delicious food and excellent service at reasonable prices. Another is the Restaurante LP (Av. Illimani 1990 | (frente al Stadium), La Paz 5432, 591 2 224244), which offers buffet meals, soups, and salad bars.
Next 24 Hours
You can discover La Paz’s other tourist attractions during your next 24 hours in the city. One of them is the Museos Municipales (Calle Jaén (near Calle Sucre), 591/22280-553). It is a unique attraction made of four small museums. The first is the Museo de Metales Preciosos, which features a rich collection of Incan and Tiwanaku metal works such as bracelets, necklaces, crowns, bowls, and gold belts.
Museo Casa de Murillo (Photo from Google images)
Next is the Museo Costumbrista Juan de Vargas, which is dedicated to chronicling the city’s history, from its establishment to the early 20th century. Inside, you’ll find impressive photographs of the city, as well as phonographs, pianos, and figurines fitted with La Paz’ traditional clothing. Another is the Museo del Litoral Boliviano, which contains artifacts from the 1879 Pacific War. You’ll see there a collection of weapons, uniforms, gun cases, and portraits of Bolivian generals.
Lastly, there is the Museo Casa de Murillo, which is set inside an 18th century mansion – the former home of the famous General Murillo of the Bolivian independence movement. Inside, you’ll find impressive Baroque-style furniture, as well as the general’s earthly possessions. The entire Museos Municipales complex is open during Tuesdays to Fridays from 9:30 am to 7:30 pm, and admission will cost you BOB4.
ART MUSEUM: Appreciate art
Art lovers will definitely enjoy and cherish a visit to the Museo Nacional de Arte (corner of Comercio and Socabaya sts., off Plaza Murillo, 0102/2408-600, website), which is dedicated to preserving Bolivia’s cultural heritage. Inside, you’ll find the works of some of the most notable artists from the Americas during the colonial era.
Museo Nacional de Arte (Photo from Google images)
One of the museum’s highlights is the “Adoración de los Reyes y Adoración de los Pastores” by Gaspar Miguel de Berrio, as well as a room filled with the works of Melchor Pérez Holguín. You’ll also see various galleries containing modern Bolivian art works. The site is open during Tuesdays to Saturdays from 9:30 am to 7 pm, and on Sundays from 10 am to 1 pm. Admission will cost you BOB10.
IGLESIA DE SAN FRANCISCO: Let’s go to church
You can go to church at the Iglesia de San Francisco (Plaza San Francisco, north end of Av. Mariscal Santa Cruz). This famous La Paz landmark is considered to be among the foremost examples of the Baroque-Mestizo style of architecture in the Americas. Built in 1784, it is known for its carvings of indigenous symbols such as dragons, snakes, tropical birds, and masked figures. You’ll also find inside a number of altars made out of cedar, and fitted with gold leaf designs. The site is open during Mondays to Saturdays, from 4 pm to 6 pm.
Iglesia de San Francisco (Photo by Arthur Catraio)
MIRADOR LAIKAKOTA: Amuse yourself
You can relax and unwind at the Mirador Laikakota (Av. del Ejército near the corner of Díaz Romero, Miraflores). It is a hill both locals and visitors love for recreational activities and socialization. The highlight of a visit there is a hike all the way up to its summit, where you’ll be rewarded with splendid views of the city and the surrounding areas. It is also home to a children’s park filled with playgrounds, fun rides, and food stalls. The site is open daily from 8:30 am to 7 pm, and admission will cost you BOB7.
Mirador Laikakota (Photo by craigiest)
NIGHTLIFE: Enjoy La Paz’s vibrant nightlife scene
At night you may proceed to La Paz’s bars and clubs to have a taste of the city’s exciting nightlife. One of the most popular is Mongo’s (Hermanos Manchego 2444, La Paz, (010)2 2440714). It is a British-style bar with a wood-burning fireplace and creative drinks. A nice alternative is Casa de Corregidor (Calle Murillo 1040, La Paz, 0102/2363-633), which serves a typical Bolivian fare and hosts live music by local artists and bands.
You can also try out the Radisson Hotel Bar (Av. Arce 2177, La Paz, (591-2)2441111, website). It is a very popular upscale bar with a happy hour offering two-for-one drinks from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm.
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